1.2 Learner's Permit Conditions and Supervision
Key Takeaways
A learner must be supervised by a driver who has held a licence for that class of vehicle for at least 3 years and who is present in the vehicle (s.63(5)).
A red letter L on a white background must be displayed on the front and the rear of the vehicle while the learner drives (s.63(5)(b) and Fifth Schedule).
A learner must not drive a vehicle that is drawing a trailer or being used to convey passengers (s.63(6)).
Driving a vehicle showing L plates without holding a learner's permit is an offence (s.63A), and the supervisor shares liability for the learner's offences (s.64).
A person instructing a learner must not use a phone or electronic device; the maximum penalty is BBD $2,500 or 2 years (reg. 148D).
A learner's permit is not a licence. It is a conditional permission, under section 63 of the Road Traffic Act, Cap. 295, to drive a motor vehicle of a particular class on a road "for the purpose of learning to drive." Most of the conditions are written into the Act, and the Licensing Authority can add more.
What the permit allows and what it costs
- The BLA issues the permit to applicants aged 16 or older who hold a Regulation Examination pass certificate and proof of identification. The fee is BBD $80.
- The permit covers a particular class of vehicle, such as a private motor car or a goods vehicle. Practising in a different class needs the right permit.
- Under s.63(3) and (4), the Licensing Authority may write conditions and restrictions into the permit, including the times when you may not drive on roads named in the permit. Breaking a permit condition is an offence punishable by a fine of BBD $1,000 or 12 months' imprisonment, and the court may cancel the permit (s.63(8)).
The supervision rule (s.63(5)(a))
A permit holder must not drive unless supervised by a driver who:
- has held a driving licence for that class or description of vehicle for at least 3 years;
- holds a certificate of competence issued by the Licensing Authority under section 79A (the driving-instructor provisions in Part VA, which the consolidated Act marks as coming into force by proclamation; ask the BLA which supervisors it currently accepts); and
- is present with the learner in the vehicle while the learner is driving.
Supervision is not required while the learner is undergoing a driving test, or when driving a vehicle built to carry only one person (s.63(7)).
Warning
Exam questions often offer "1 year" or "2 years" as the supervisor's licence period. The Act says not less than 3 years for that class of vehicle.
L plates (s.63(5)(b) and the Fifth Schedule)
The vehicle must clearly display, "in a conspicuous position on the front and on the rear," the letter L in red on a white background. The Fifth Schedule drawing shows a square white plate of about 178 mm with the red L.
The plates belong to the learner, not the car. Section 63A makes it an offence for a person who does not hold a learner's permit to drive a vehicle showing L plates on the front and rear, with a fine of BBD $1,000 or 12 months' imprisonment, or both. When an experienced driver takes over, remove or cover the plates.
| Situation | L plates? |
|---|---|
| Learner driving, supervisor beside them | Required, front and rear |
| Fully licensed parent driving the same car home | Must not be displayed |
| Learner on a driving test with the examiner | Displayed; supervision rule does not apply during the test |
No trailer and no passengers (s.63(6))
The holder of a learner's permit "shall not drive, and shall not be permitted to drive, a vehicle while it is being used to draw a trailer or convey passengers." Do not tow, and do not use practice drives to carry friends or family. The safe reading is that the only other person aboard should be your supervisor.
The supervisor is responsible too
Section 64 makes the supervising driver "chargeable with the same offence" when a learner is charged, and "both are equally punishable." Supervisors must watch the road, not a screen. Under regulation 148D (added by the Road Traffic (Amendment) Regulations, 2017), no person may instruct a learner who is driving while that person is talking on or using a cellular telephone or other electronic device. The maximum penalty is BBD $2,500 or 2 years' imprisonment, or both.
Validity and renewal
A learner's permit is valid for the period prescribed and can be renewed for up to the same period on payment of the fee (s.63(9)). The Licensing Authority may refuse to renew a permit if the holder has not taken a test within 9 months of the date the permit was first issued (s.63(10)). Book your driving examination once the three-month minimum has passed and you are ready.
A checklist before every practice drive
- Permit in date and covering this class of vehicle.
- Supervisor licensed for this class for 3+ years, sober, phone away, sitting beside you.
- L plates on the front and rear.
- No trailer and no passengers.
- Any time or road restriction printed on your permit respected.
For how long must a learner's supervising driver have held a licence for that class of vehicle under s.63(5) of the Road Traffic Act?
At least 1 year
At least 3 years
At least 2 years
At least 5 years
How must L plates be displayed while a learner is driving?
A red L on a white background, front and rear
Any colour, on the windscreen only
A red L on a white background, rear only
A white L on a red background, rear only
A supervisor answers a handheld call while the learner beside them is driving. What is the legal position?
Only the learner commits an offence
Nobody commits an offence, because the learner is driving
The supervisor commits an offence under regulation 148D
It is lawful if the car is moving below 30 km/h
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.